Shelby Township adopts pro-life resolution

Shelby Township elected officials picked a side this week in the controversial abortion-rights debate.

Acting in their official capacity as elected representatives, the township Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to adopt a resolution recognizing October as Respect Life Month in Macomb County.

Respect Life Month is a national initiative, endorsed by the Catholic church. Abortion is a specific target of the effort.

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The resolution adopted by Shelby Township officials lists among its provisions the promotion of “the God-given right to life of all human beings, born and unborn.”

“Abortion does not give one a chance to achieve their full potential and enjoy these inalienable rights,” said Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis.

Stathakis introduced the resolution. Trustee Paula Filar, one of two women on the Board of Trustees, made the motion to adopt. Five other officials, all men, joined Filar in support. Trustee Lisa Manzella was absent.

To suggestions the resolution might be inappropriate for a government body to undertake, Stathakis said: “The mixture of faith and politics, as far as I’m concerned, it’s not just a duty, it’s the culture and foundation of our country.”

“Christians can honor God and change laws, support mothers and save the lives of babies, and we can do it by voting pro-life,” the supervisor said.

A few members of the audience who spoke on the issue endorsed the board’s position, including Gino Vitale, representing Michigan Right to Life.

“That’s a person with a right to life,” Vitale said. “It’s not a choice.”

Nobody in attendance at the meeting objected to the resolution. Kimberly Beebe, president of the Oakland/Macomb Chapter of the National Organization for Women, learned of the resolution after it was passed.

“I am appalled that Shelby Township would even consider this issue, especially in October which is Violence Against Women Awareness Month,” Beebe said in an email. “It is a travesty for women and women’s rights. Are they going to consider a Vasectomy and Viagra Month also to follow up for November?

“It is very sad to me that the war on women is now getting to the township level. If the township officials are really concerned about reducing unwanted pregnancies they would have a family planning month and devote efforts to this.”

The resolution is similar to a “proclamation” adopted in August by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. Much of the language in the Shelby Township resolution was lifted from the county’s version.

The resolution carries no legal weight, but it does reflect the official position of the township. Trustee Michael Flynn said he interprets the resolution to only encourage fewer elective abortions.

Flynn likened the action to a previous board-approved resolution that encouraged state lawmakers to examine the installation of “SMART” electric meters by DTE.

“Whether you’re pro-choice or pro-life, the way I read this resolution is we’re just encouraging elective abortions to be as few as possible,” Flynn said. “I don’t see … most folks would have much of a problem with there being less abortions.”